Press release

Japan rebound to down Tunisia 3-1 at Men's U21

Japan's team celebrate victory over Tunisia in the play off match of the Men's U21 in Izmir in their style

Izmir, Turkey, August 30, 2013 – Japan rebounded back technically and mentally from one set behind to win a thrilling clash against Tunisia 3-1 (23-25, 25-27, 25-23, 25-19) in the play off for classification 9 to 16 positions of the FIVB Men's U21 World Championship at Ataturk Hall in Izmir, Turkey on Friday.

With the win Japan qualified to play for the 9 to 12 positions, while Tunisia relegated to play for the 13 to 16 positions.

Japan's outside hitter Naoya Takano led his team and match scorers with 19 points including 3 dying blocks followed by outside hitter Takahiko Imamura who scored 18. From the Tunisian side , Opposite Adam Ouslati scored 13 points as the best scorer from his side.

Tunisia started the match with the proper team and succeeded to make early pressure by the service and also the setter Khaled Ben Slimane led the combinations using the opposite spiker Adam Oueslati and the outside hitter Malek Chekir to score a lot of points as Tunisia went to 25-23 victory in the first set.

Japan changed the strategy using the quick attacks through the centers Kentaro Takahashi and Yasunari Kodama. They also improved their backline defence to win both second and third sets. They succeeded to maintain their good performance, while the Tunisian team couldn't return back psychologically and technically. Tunisian coach reacted by substituting three main players Chekir, Ousalti and Garfi, but the whole team was out of order to lose fourth set with the optimum performance from the Japanese specially the outside hitter Naoya Takano

Tunisia struggled early in the fourth set but the motivated Japanese players were again up to the level and they succeeded to overcome the Tunisian blockers in their way to win the match 3-1.

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